Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or an established homeowner, real estate transactions can be overwhelming, no matter how much experience you have with the process. This is why it is essential to work with a qualified agent when buying or selling Fort Mill real estate. So how do you find a qualified agent and what are the qualities you should look for before hiring an agent?
In many cases, buyers and sellers tend to hire agents with whom they already have an established relationship. This could be an agent they have worked with in the past or someone in their inner circle, such as a close friend, a family member, or a neighbor. In other instances, prospective buyers and sellers do not have anyone within their sphere of influence and are in search of a new agent.
Summarized below are some of the most important questions you should ask an agent before hiring them.
How long have you been working in the industry?
You should ideally be working with an established agent with many years of industry experience. An experienced agent can help you navigate through every stage of the transaction while offering valuable insights into the local market. However, working with a newer agent isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker. If you are considering working with a newer agent, make sure they are working alongside a team of experienced agents or under the supervision of an established real estate broker.
Are you familiar with the Fort Mill real estate market?
Whether you are selling real estate or looking for Fort Mill homes for sale, your real estate agent is one of your most important allies and confidants. That means you will rely on them to help you navigate through the local market, which means having an agent who is highly familiar with the area is essential. Whether you are choosing to work with an agent who is new to the business or is an industry veteran, they should know the local market from the inside out.
So how do you know whether or not they are familiar with your local market? They should be able to answer your questions about local amenities, traffic conditions, neighborhood property values, etc. Most importantly, they should be aware of local market conditions and factors that can affect property values.
Are you a full-time or a part-time agent?
While this might not seem like an important question on the surface, this can be indicative of how much time your agent can devote to you as a client. An agent who works full-time is not only a more established agent, but they will have more time to work with you, whether you are house hunting or preparing to sell your home. While a part-time agent is not necessarily a bad choice, it will limit their availability for showings or possibly make communication more difficult. If you want to work with an agent who works part-time, make sure they work with other full-time agents.
How many clients are you currently working with?
An agent’s answer to this question can be very telling. If you are working with an agent who is less experienced, they are more likely to be working with more buyers than sellers — at least until they gain more experience. Regardless of their experience level, every agent is limited on how many buyers they can represent at once, since being a buyer’s agent requires more travel time for showings, open houses, and other activities. The same is not true for listings. Any agent with extensive experience or who is part of a comprehensive team can manage a much higher number of listings without negatively impacting their quality of work. Working with an agent with a higher listing-to-buyer ratio is typically indicative of an established agent. An individual agent with too many listings, however, could be stretched thin, so this is something to consider.
For sellers: What is your marketing plan for selling my home?
Knowing and understanding how your listing agent plans to get your home sold is vital. The ideal agent should have a comprehensive marketing plan that will not only highlight the best features of your home but get your listing in front of as many prospective buyers as possible. Further, your agent’s marketing strategy should be measurable, with proven results from previous clients. They should be transparent about their marketing plan so that you know what is happening through every step of the process. If your prospective agent does not seem to have a plan for marketing your home or if the plan involves simply putting your listing online and hoping for the best, then you may want to rethink your agent.
For buyers: What can I expect in the house hunt?
If you are searching for Fort Mill homes for sale, then one of the most important things you need to know is what to expect during the search process. This is especially true if you are a first-time homebuyer or you are relocating to the Charlotte area. Ideally, you and your buyer’s agent should know the most important items on your ‘wish list’, including your budget, your ideal location, and the desired home size. Your agent should also have a good list of homes to show and have extensive experience submitting offers. Once you find your dream home and it is time to submit an offer, you and your agent will need to agree on how much to offer, what contingencies you need, and when your ideal closing date will be.
Are you ready to buy or sell Fort Mill real estate? Trust the Andy Bovender Team to help you achieve your real estate dreams and guide you through every step of the transaction. Also, don’t miss out on exploring the exquisite condos for sale in Fort Mill, SC. Browse through stunning listings and find your ideal condo today! Contact the Andy Bovender Team to get started.
*Header photo courtesy of Pexels
